with Questions (DBQs)
AN IMPERIAL EDICT RESTRAINING OFFICIALS FROM EVIL
By the Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang)
Introduction
Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398) rose from obscure poverty to become a military strongman and founder of the Ming
dynasty (1368-1644). Born into a poor family in modern Anhui province and orphaned at an early age, Zhu spent
some time as a Buddhist beggar-monk before joining one of the many rebellions against the crumbling government
of the Yuan dynasty. Although barely literate, Zhu proved a capable leader of men and a successful general. He
founded the Ming dynasty in 1368, chased the hapless Mongols back to Mongolia, and established his dynastic
capital in the city of Nanjing.
In the document below, Zhu Yuanzhang, as the Hongwu Emperor, reminds his civil and military officials that they are
to “refrain from evil.”
Document Excerpts with Questions (Longer selection follows this section)
From Chinese Civilization: A Sourcebook, edited by Patricia Buc
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Ming Dynasty
2008/9 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Ancient History, Classical History and Mythology
大明
Great Ming | | | Ming China under the Yongle Emperor | | Capital | Nanjing
(1368-1421)
Beijing
(1421-1644) | | Language(s) | Chinese | | Religion | Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Chinese folk religion | | Government | Monarchy | | Emperor | | - 1368-1398 | Hongwu Emperor | | - 1627-1644 | Chongzhen Emperor | | History | | - Established in Nanjing | January 23, 1368 | | - Fall of Beijing | June 6, 1644 | | - End of the Southern Ming | April, 1662 | | Population | | - 1393 est. | 72,700,000 | | - 1400 est. | 65,000,000¹ | | - 1600 est. | 150,000,000¹ | | - 1644 est. | 100,000,000 | | Remnants of the Ming Dynasty ruled southern China until 1662, a dynast
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